I support national cathedral 200% - Bishop Jerry Augustus Sowah
The
International Director of Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches for
Africa(FGFMCI), Bishop Jerry Augustus Sowah has waded into the controversy
surrounding the proposed national cathedral, declaring his full support and
urging government to proceed with urgency, barring any unforeseen
circumstances.
The highly
revered man of God sharing his views on the contentious matter in an interview
said: “We have a national mosque for Moslems and the government uses taxpayer’s
money to sponsor hajj trips now, what is wrong with the President saying that
this cathedral is not going to serve only Christian but a monument to serve
other purposes? he quizzed, adding, I see nothing wrong about that, as a matter
of fact it is not the taxpayer’s money that is going to be used to build it”.
He furthered:
“The government is only part of this by providing the land. It’s the church
that is going to facilitate the building process that’s it, so I see nothing
wrong with that and I’ll support it 200%”.
The interview
was conducted on the sideline of the opening of 2018 Convention of the Full
Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International (FGFCMI) in Accra on the
eve of Tuesday, September 18.
The 2018
convention of the ‘fellowship’, a 3-day power packed event which spanned from
September 18-20, 2018 came on the theme: “Lift up a standard (Isaiah 62:10).
It
is expected to share insight on the word, equip and empower all and sundry with
the right knowledge to do the bidding of God almighty on earth in order to win more
souls for his kingdom.
The proposed
national religious edifice by government has become a controversial issue with
some experts and critics questioning the need for it as well as the cost
implication involved which the taxpayer would suffer due to its construction.
President
Akufo-Addo announced his decision to build it earlier this year and
subsequently cut the sod for its construction on March 6, 2017 as part of
events that marked the Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebration.
The decision
has been applauded by some Ghanaians while others criticized it, questioning
its relevance to the state since Ghana is a secular state as well as the cost
implication on the state and taxpayers. Gov’t was also criticized for what
appears as interfering in religious affairs with the project.
Although
government spokespersons have said on a number of occasions that private
institutions will fund the 5,000 capacity seater project therefore the cost of
the building would not be at the cost of the state but critics and some experts
are yet to be convinced.
The plan to
relocate judges from their Ridge Roundabout residence in Accra to make way for
the construction also brought the project back in focus, following a hit in the
face with lawsuit.
Reports
indicated that some of the judges have complained about the manner in which
they were told to vacate their homes. The issue of relocating judges caught the
attention of some critics who also condemned it instantly.
But commenting
on the issue, Bishop Jerry Augustus Sowah said: “People will always complain, but
you see, if you’re about a positive change which will affect a whole nation,
you don’t worry about complain”.
“Whenever
there’s going to be a change, some people in one way or the other had to suffer
a little hardship but that is not to say we cannot build. Even where the
Akosombo Dam was built was people’s home but it was demolished. somebody will say, well this is a national
something, so it has to go to make a way for the construction”.
Bishop Sowah also
revealed some of the buildings which have been earmarked for demolishing to
pave way for the cathedral are just sitting right in the middle of a huge
property occupying space or land for nothing therefore he sees nothing wrong
about resettlement process which would affect some of the judges too.
For his part, A
US based Executive Board Member of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and
Ministers International (FGFCMI), Mark Peters said government decision to
construct a national is a good idea which every Ghanaian must embrace but not
criticized provided it would not get involved in telling people how to worship.
“I believe
It’s a good idea if only the government doesn’t get involved in telling people
how to worship. You know there is a freedom of worship and he may want to
maintain that only if there won’t be no strings attached. The Lord can use
anybody and Christians should be in government but the government shouldn’t
control Christians” he stressed.
As part of the
2018 convention of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers
International (FGFCMI), Rev. Mark Peters and Rev.Terry Goodwin, also an
Executive Board Member of the Fellowship based in Oregon, US(headquarters) are
in the country to Minister to the gospel of Christ to all Ghanaians and empower
them to take up the responsibility to do the bidding of the Lord and win souls
for his Kingdom.
The FGFMCI is
a fellowship of like-minded Charismatic Churches and Ministers that brings all
denominations together in one place to foster unity and to work for the Kingdom
of God.
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